Nordic Salmon Salad with Dill Mustard Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fresh and vibrant salad featuring pan-seared salmon, crisp greens, and a dill mustard dressing built on the Scandinavian pairing of oily fish with sharp mustard and herbs. This scandinavian-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs salmon fillet, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Scandinavian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 2 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook 3 more minutes until just cooked through.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber, and 4 thinly sliced radishes. Toss with half the dressing to coat.
  4. Step 4: Divide the salad between plates and top each with a salmon fillet. Drizzle remaining dressing over the salmon and garnish with additional dill if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Nordic Salmon Salad with Dill Mustard Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Nordic Salmon Salad with Dill Mustard Dressing?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Nordic Salmon Salad with Dill Mustard Dressing?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Nordic Salmon Salad with Dill Mustard Dressing for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Nordic Salmon Salad with Dill Mustard Dressing?

Scandinavian salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.